Editorial: Children need counseling in wake of tornado

Photo by Jessica Hill / Associated PressChildren stand in front of a damaged house a day after the tornado hit Springfield last week.

As cities and towns rebuild their physical landscapes in the aftermath of last week’s tornadoes, emotional landscapes are in need of repair as well.

This applies particularly to the young traumatized by what is likely their first encounter with near-death experiences, homelessness and a world out of control.

The power of nature meets human civilization and within seconds familiar sights are turned into ugly sculptures of uprooted trees, downed power lines and half-standing structures with interiors exposed and vulnerable.

Life teaches that humans are very resilient but this is a lesson in process for the young.

As they return to school, some to new locations, it is hoped resources are available to help students cope emotionally. Some schools are adding extra counselors.

There have already been reports on police scanners of children shouting they are going to die and media coverage of parents talking about their young too afraid to make plans in case disaster strikes again.

Parents are advised to reassure their children that they will be OK and that their feelings of fear and anxiety are normal. They might point out what is being done in communities to repair storm damage and restore routines.

Parents are encouraged to get their children to focus on daily routines but to be aware of new behaviors like bed-wetting, an inability to sleep or withdrawal from activities that might require professional help.

Schools are advised to make time for students to talk about what happened to them, engage in activities like art therapy and introduce through subjects like history how communities have coped in the past.

Most importantly, parents and schools need to recognize that, unlike the tornadoes’ widespread destruction that happened within minutes, the process of healing takes ongoing patience and time.